Despite turbulence in many sectors of the restaurant industry, Wingstop continues to soar as James A. Flynn, president and CEO of the Dallas-based national chicken wing chain, announced today that comparable restaurant sales have increased for the 23rd consecutive quarter.

The increase for the first quarter of 2009 was 5.9 percent, and the overall comp sales for 2008 were up 6.5 percent from the year prior. Wingstop, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary, has maintained continuous comp sales increases dating back to the third quarter of 2003 and now sells more than 1 million wings daily.

“That we continue to increase comp restaurant sales in a market when other chains are struggling is a tribute to our millions of loyal customers, our hard working brand partners across the nation and the innovative programs developed by our staff,” Flynn says. “They are the ones that make our success possible on a daily basis.”

Over the past quarter, Wingstop broke its all-time Super Bowl record, selling more than four million wings on Super Bowl Sunday, and opened 19 restaurants, including the chain’s first location in Philadelphia. Strong growth numbers also led Wingstop to achieve two recent milestones: the company’s first international franchise agreement for 10 restaurants in the State of Mexico and Mexico DF, and a partnership in which Wingstop will be the Official Wings Of The Dallas Cowboys.

“One reason we have been able to withstand the impact of the recession is that our low price points and our value really stacks up against all other options, including buying the groceries and cooking,” Flynn says. “In fact, a large percentage of our business is take-home.”

The 23rd quarter milestone comes on the heels of the recent announcement that the company had moved from No. 125 to No. 97 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Franchise 500” ranking of all leading franchise brands worldwide.